Fire alarm servicing and maintenance
Fire alarm servicing is the competent-person inspection and maintenance that sits alongside routine user testing.
Reviewed: 20 August 2026
This guidance is general information. The correct fire safety measures depend on the premises, its use, occupants, fire risk assessment and applicable legal duties.
Servicing frequency
Government fire safety guidance for offices, shops and sleeping accommodation describes six-monthly servicing and preventive maintenance by a competent person for relevant fire-warning and automatic detection systems. The exact regime should also reflect the current standard, system design, manufacturer instructions and risk.
What a service should do
A service should assess system condition and operation within the agreed scope, record defects and identify remedial action. It should not be treated as a sticker-changing exercise.
Certificate and timeline
The property record should show date, contractor, system inspected, outcome, defects or variations and next due date where used.
Changes between visits
Alterations to rooms, ceilings, occupancy or use can affect detector suitability or coverage and should be brought to the contractor attention.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a commercial fire alarm be serviced?
Government fire safety guidance commonly describes six-monthly servicing for relevant systems; the premises-specific regime should also follow applicable standards and manufacturer information.
Is weekly testing the same as servicing?
No. Weekly testing is a routine user check; servicing is a competent-person maintenance activity.
Sources and further reading
For legal duties and technical standards, use the current primary source and professional advice where required.